Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016
110. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 494 of 24 May 2016, the number of new staff and level of extra funding that will be invested in the national ambulance service to ensure there is a high-quality and responsive ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/16]
View answerLast month at my request, the HSE published the National Ambulance Service Capacity Review together with an action plan for implementation which incorporates the recommendations of both the Capacity Review and the 2014 HIQA Report on the National Ambulance Service.
The Capacity Review makes it clear that we need a very significant programme of investment in our ambulance services. In that context, a phased investment in a multi annual programme involving manpower, vehicles and technology is required. While the overall funding requirement remains to be quantified, the direct pay cost is estimated to be in the region of €25 million, and the capital cost of the additional fleet is estimated at €10 million. Additional funding of €7.2 million has been provided for the National Ambulance Service in 2016 which includes €2 million for new developments. The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government commits to additional annual investment in terms of ambulance personnel and vehicles.
It should be noted that many of the key recommendations of both reviews are already being addressed as part of a significant programme of reform and modernisation of the National Ambulance Service which has been underway in recent years. This programme has now achieved many of its key targets including the establishment of the National Emergency Operations Centre, and the creation of an integrated deployment platform which allows the ambulance service to operate as a national fleet, rather than in regional divisions; continued delivery of improved technology to improve response times; and expansion of the Community First Responder scheme.
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with the National Ambulance Service in relation to service requirements and performance and will continue to do so to ensure that the action plan is implemented.
